Introduction by Alex Niven
‘Dear Mark,’ began an email of January 2010 to a man I had never met:
I read your book Capitalist Realism last week, and it felt like coming up for air after a long time spent underwater. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving such eloquent expression to pretty much everything that needed to be said, and for providing a reason to hope, when I for one was just about ready to despair.
Reading these phrases back now, well over a decade later, I’m slightly embarrassed by the wording, but not at all by the sentiment. At the time, I had just suffered a head-on collision with the music industry, after a long period of post-teen crisis sparked by a series of family bereavements. I was depressed, I suppose — in the trough of my mid-twenties, and looking for explanations about why even the basics of twenty-first-century work, social, and private life seemed so hard, so disempowered, so existentially thankless.
For me — and for many others in a similar place both then and since — encountering CapitalistRealismreally did feel like surfacing (to cite the title and central theme of Margaret Atwood’s haunting novel of 1972 — a canonical text for Mark). In a society where everything was set up to make you think that your emotional wellbeing began and ended with your own personal psychodrama, perhaps the simplest, most important thing Mark’s book did was to
suggest that, just maybe, mental suffering might have something to do with structural flaws in society as a whole. Put another way, in the thick of a political system which endlessly promoted the notion that we were all ultimately alone, CapitalistRealismannounced that we were all suffering together — and also, more hopefully, that if we were to realise this, and somehow make connections between our several hardships, we would be taking the first step towards doing something we seemed to have mostly forgotten about by the late Noughties: mounting an organised resistance.
Before anything else, this is the vital, near-spiritual message which came along with the short, sharp, explosive text that was Capitalist Realism, published in the last weeks of 2009 on the eve of a new and tumultuous decade. At its most basic level, whatever political and theoretical nuances it might otherwise have implied, this was a book which called for a joining of human hands.
This is partly why, despite my timidity, and despite the fact that I didn’t usually do this sort of thing, I worked up the courage to send its author a short thank-you note in the first days of 2010 — and received a short, encouraging response from him the following day (Mark was famously generous with time and support when it came to helping younger writers — sometimes, it must be said, to the detriment of his own workload and wellbeing). It is also why Capitalist Realism went on to become one of the seminal political texts of the 2010s, and indeed the whole of the twenty-first century thus far. Unlike most forms of writing, in all genres, this was a book which set aside solipsism, irony, and ego to imagine a community of people united by a simple belief that the way things were was not okay — and then to dangle the tantalising possibility that this imagined community might soon become a social reality capable of changing the world. As one of the most evocative chapter titles in Capitalist Realism demanded, with almost childlike clarity and hopefulness: Whatifyouheldaprotestandeveryonecame?
But in spite of such lyric universalism, CapitalistRealismwas also the product of a set of specific, even bathetic local circumstances — many of which have been forgotten or passed over in the years since this peculiar essay became one of the primary texts of the modern era.
The first of these is the distinctive personal journey which led to its publication. Although, somewhat incredibly, Capitalist Realism was Mark Fisher’s first proper book, it marked the end of two decades of non-conformist intellectual questing for its author. In fact, given that Mark was 41 when it was published — a fair bit older than the average age for a first-time author — it should probably be viewed as a belated breakthrough at the end of an unusually long professional apprenticeship. And yet it was no immature Bildungsroman. In the years prior to his first authored book, Mark had made strenuous attempts to make the case that there might be a viable alternative to the received, late-twentieth-century template for writing, scholarship, and thinking. Capitalist Realism was merely the final proof that he was right.
After a working-class upbringing in the English East Midlands, Mark benefited in his formative years from contact with the fertile intellectual climate of British higher education in the late Eighties and early Nineties (crucially, a time before the introduction of tuition fees in 1998 triggered the radical marketisation of the British state system). As a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick for much of the Nineties, he was one of the key members of the Cybernetic Culture Research Unit (CCRU), an ‘accelerationist’ tendency dedicated to imagining new cultural modes on the far side of late-capitalist dystopias. Though this is not the place to provide a detailed summary of the CCRU and its often occult subculture, I think we can say that Mark’s training in this aberrant faction hardwired him to avoid following a traditional career path in the years after he completed his PhD, on ‘cybernetic theory-fiction’, at Warwick in 1999.
Further aided (and impeded in equal measure) by the fickleness of twenty-first-century academia, Mark would make good on his cybernetic training to become one of the first truly indispensable presences on the still-young internet in the early-to-mid Noughties. Free from the strictures of a secure academic job, Mark made a virtue of what would later be called ‘precarity’ by occupying the centre of a scene described by Simon Reynolds as a ‘constellation of blogs’. For a five-year period lasting roughly from the Iraq War to the Global Financial Crisis, this cabal of theoretical and pop-cultural discussion was home to some of the best, most entertaining writing anywhere on the planet. Circa 2006, chancing on some of the sites in this corner of the so-called blogosphere — weird avatars for their IRL authors with aliases like Kino Fist, The Impostume, blissblog, and Sit Down Man, You’re a Bloody Tragedy — you would tend to encounter long, usually pretty good natured debates, which were begun in the posts themselves and then endlessly elaborated in their byzantine comment sections. Subjects included — but were not limited to — the legacy of M. R. James’s ghost stories, the misuses of Derridean theory, the legacy of post-war state-funded broadcasting, Wu Tang Clan, V for Vendetta, the pointlessness of mainstream media, and the imaginative paucity of Arctic Monkeys lyrics.
In the middle of this informal grouping, and supplying most of its ideational energy, was Mark’s seminal k-punkblog. As well as acting as a hub for the wider scene’s primitive version of social media, kpunk was also the space where Mark developed a philosophically expansive body of work, which used a series of mainly cultural examples to try to find an escape route from the airless atmosphere of the High Noughties — surely the tackiest, most desultory interlude in modern history.
When the Global Financial Crisis descended to smash apart the complacency of this micro-period in 2008, Zer0 Books emerged — a lightning response to a putative ‘revolutionary moment’, as well as
Another random document with no related content on Scribd:
Wherefore as Ibefore said,andalways shallsay, Ibelieve thata MedicineandTincture more sublimethanthefixedandredMercury of Wine, hath never been known by Philosophers. In the mean while,leteveryotherManbelieveashelisteth,itsufficethmethatI have writtenthe Truth,andrefusedtocarry hencewithme intothe Kingdom of Darkness the greatest Secret of the whole World. But the Reasons why I here over-hastily break off the Thread of my discoursebegun, and in no-wise discover the Method by which the Burning Spirit may beprepared, and the Mercury latent therein be separated from the same, and reduced into a fixed Tincture, are weighty and considerable. For the whole Work, from thebeginning to the end, is so very vile and easie to be performed, as every Corydon or rude Shepherd (ignorant of all Chymical Arts) would understand and imitate that Method of preparing the same. Whereforeitisbesttodesistfromany furtherexplanation.Because, towhomsoever Godwillgive it,hewillso easilyfinditout,as there willbeno necessity ofspeakingone wordmore thanIhave already spoke. Besides,for suchinconsiderateness, Ishouldbeabletogive no just Account before God, the Judge of the Living and of the Dead,ifthismostsecretSecretofSecretsshouldas a GrainofSalt be sowed among the ungratefull and unworthy People. But the Worldistoowellknowntomealready:yetIwillopenlysaythis,viz. that thepoorestMan, as well as him that is wealthy, may attain to this supreme Work; because, for preparation of that incomparable Medicine,nochargeableMaterials,noranylongtimearerequired.
Truly, untomeareknowndiversfamousparticulars,bythehelpof which, notonely Silver, but also all other Metals are converted into Gold and Silver with great profit, yet are more difficult to be elaborated than that great Universal Work. Wherefore this also, among all other fruitfull Chymical Secrets deservedly doth, and undoubtedalwayswillobtainthePriority.
Now, Son ofArt,candidlyacceptthismy FatherlyInstruction,and FriendlyAdmonition,anddonotatallcommitanythingto Faithless Men, of which thou maist have occasion to repent afterward.
Accordingly, to all the Disciples of Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine, I wish theample Blessing ofGod, here Temporal, and in the life to come Eternal; heartily praying, that the most clear unextinguishable Light of God, may perfectly enlighten them, as it didmeatthefirst.Amen.
OftheSecretSal-Armoniack.
Touching this our Secret Sal-Armoniack, I have made mention in divers of my written Books; but the way of Preparing it I have left to be divulged in this place. For after I was assured, that many had laboured much to find out its Preparation and Fruitfull use in Medicine and Chymistry; I resolved no longer to conceal the Preparation and profitable use in Chymistry, of our Salmiack, from the Lovers of our Profession; but chiefly for the sake of the Sick (to whom it may be very great comfort and solace) I chose rather openly to divulge it, without any privy concealment, in these my Writings; hoping that by the publication of this, I shall do good to many thousands of Men, and for a sign of triumphal Joy crown the Head (as with Laurel) of the victorious Queen of the Spagyrick Art.
First of all, it is to be observed, that this Name is imposed upon this Subject, because it in many things agrees with common SalArmoniack. It pleased us to add the Epithet of Secret, because this Salt is known to very few in the whole World; and they who acquired it to themselves, neither published it, nor exposed the same to common use, but kept it to themselves as a great Secret; and as often as they made mention of that Salt in their Writings, they named it their Salmiack; for proof of which, if need were, I could produce many Examples.
Cosmopolita, being about to speak of this our Salmiack, cryes out thus: OourSea!OourSal-Armoniack!His Seawas Oil of Vitriol, and his Salmiackthe Volatile Spirit of Urine. When these two are joyned together, they give forth from themselves our Secret Salmiack; by the help of which, so many wonderfull Works are performed in Medicine and Chymistry, as you shall here following hear.
Paracelsus and Helmont called this Salt, Alcahest; being that, of which the former writ little, but the latter very many things; and yet both kept the same secret to themselves onely, insomuch as Helmontdiscovered it not, even to his own Son; and other Men, his intimates, requiring it of him, he put off, saying, It is an Ens very difficult to be acquired: and thus he freed himself from the importunate Intreaties of many. And how little others could get out of him, is manifest by the following Saying, which is thought to be his. The Liquor Alcahest is made of Blood and Urine. It is credible that he might make such an Alcahest of those Subjects. But the reason why that kind of Alcahest may be prepared of Blood and Urine, as well as of Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine, is this: There is a great affinity and similitude between the Macrocosm and Microcosm, viz. Man; insomuch as whatsoever may be had in the Macrocosm, may also be found in the lesser World Man. For as in the great World an Universal Acidity, viz. Vitriol, commonly is generated in Subterranean Fibres, Beds or Veins, and is there kept in perpetual Digestion by the Central Fire of the Earth, and at length ripened into Mineral and Metallick Bodies; so also, in the Body of every Man, the Blood of the Veins (as an Universal Microcosmick Acidity) is generated, and by long Digestion of the central Fire of the Heart augmented, meliorated, and at length transmuted into Flesh, Skin, and Bones. Therefore, in the Blood of Men or Animals you may find an Acidity, like to that which is found in the great World: Hence it may be said, that our Secret Salmiack may as well be prepared of the Blood and Urine of Animals, as of Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine. Nevertheless, I say there is a vast difference between these two; for Oil of Vitriol may be amended and rendred more subtile by Rectification, which Subtiliation cannot be effected with the Vitriolate Acidity of the Blood of Animals. Therefore we deservedly give the Priority to this rectified Oil of Vitriol, as being that, which in every Chymical Labour is found far more efficacious than that of Blood. For this cause leaving that Blood, let us set about the Preparation of our Secret Salmiack, with cleansed Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Urine subtily rectified.
ThewayofmakingourSecretSal-Armoniack.
Recipe of Oil of Vitriol excellently well deflegmated and rectified, one pound; upon which Oil of Vitriol, leisurely pour on so much highly rectified Spirit of Urine, as untill there is no more action each upon other, but they be mortified and still. In that Conjunction, from two Contraries, ariseth a middle Salt. This Operation being rightly performed, you will find a sharp penetrating Liquor, in which is a power of carrying upwards with it self the purest Essences from Animals, Vegetables, and Metals: which is what no other Entity in Nature is able to perform the like, as we purpose to shew. Therefore if any one, desirous to make of this Salt Liquor a dry Salmiack, do in gentle heat of Balneo abstract the unsavoury Water thence, in the bottom will remain a fair white Salt, which is our Secret SalArmoniack; by the benefit of which wonderous Works, may be performed in Medicine and Chymistry, as hereafter you shall hear. Now follows
TheUseofour Salmiack, by thehelpofwhich,from Vegetables may be extracted very efficacious, and indeed incomparable Essences.
How or which way the Ancient and Modern Spagyrists prepared their Essences of Vegetables, is now long since well known throughout the World, viz.by Spirit of Wine. Which way of Extracting is indeed of it self a Work very chargeable; yet Spirit of Wine readily extracts the Essences of Vegetables and Animals, leaving the unprofitable Fæces behind. Also, it is not unknown to us, that Spirit of Wine in extraction so notably changeth the Virtues of things extracted by it, as the Extract is of less force than the Simple whence it was made, and that most manifestly in Catharticks or Purging Simples, insomuch as commonly the Dose of the Extract must be greater than of the Simpleit self. The reason is, because all Purgers acquire the greatest part of their Cathartick faculty from that crude and immature Substance, with which they oppose the Stomach, and therefore are not entertained by it, but presently expelled, during which Expulsion the Excrements also are cast out.
Therefore the stronger Crudity is predominant in Purging things, the more impetuously do they move the Stomach; and the more strongly the Stomach casts out and expells that, so much the more vehemently also are the noxious Humours of the Body cast up. If a Cathartick be too crude, rough and immature, the Stomach rejects it much more strongly, because the whole of Nature is thereby disturbed, and with all its might endeavours wholly to expell such a rude guest. In which violent expulsion, the Radical Humours are expelled out of the Body, together with the Excrements, that the Body may be totally freed and disburthened of the pernicious filth of them.
The Stomach so abhors some Vegetables, and is so impatient of giving them any time to abide there, that they may by little and little be expelled downward by Seidge, as it (enraged with so great nauseating and loathing) violently casts them up. In which Excretion a tenacious viscous Choler, always hurtfull to the Stomach, is expelled, which would difficultly otherwise be cast out by gentle Purgations, as is seen in Asarabacca and Hellebore. For as often as they are taken by a sick Man, without any previous Preparation, they continually excite Vomiting; but if extracted with Spirit of Wine, they vomit not, but onely work downward.
By all which it appears, that Spirit of Wine, in extracting the Essences of Vegetables (by its natural power) so notably changeth the Virtues of Herbs, as it is not fit to be used for all kinds of Extractions; and that by reason of its Nature varying or altering the property of things. Nor can you, in some Diseases, safely use those Extracts which are made by Spirit of Wine, because Extracts are heightned in their Heat by the Spirit of Wine, and therefore should be avoided in acute or burning Diseases. On the contrary, our Menstruum, viz. our Secret Sal-Armoniack, in Extraction, alters not the Virtues of Species for which it is used, but extracts from them onely what is most pure, and carries over with it by Alembeck, a certain most sweet Essence, which Spirit of Wine can in no wise perform. Therefore we deservedly give Priority to our Liquor Alcahest in extracting the Essences of Vegetables and Animals. Yet we would
by no means labour to bring Spirit of Wine into contempt, since it, in some subjects, so excellently exerciseth its power, as it gives place to no other thing. But the Water of our Secret Sal-Armoniack perfects its Extraction in a far differing manner; because, by the help of Art, that conjunct of two sharp penetrating Entities (viz. Acid Oil of Vitriol, and Alcalisate Spirit of Urine) is reduced into one temperate middle Salt, which Salt is almost of the same disposition as common Salmiack, except that in all its Operations it is found to be more sharp, more penetrating and more efficacious than it.
Now let us come to the matter it self, that we may see of how great use our Alcalisate Vitriol, or Vitriolate Alcali, is for preparing some famous Medicine. I suppose it will be worth my while, if I first of all begin with that Medicine which Paracelsus taught to be made of Aloes, Myrrh, and Saffron, and is by venerable Antiquity, and by all Authours of long life highly commended, and named Elixir Proprietatis. And since Paracelsusin describing so noble a Medicine, used few words, but enlarged them much in extolling his Elixir Proprietatis, it will not be amiss for us, in this place, to transcribe his own Words following, thus:
“So also Nature sheweth us an Elixir, is that which of Natural things may be made compleatly perfect in its proper Essence. Such is the Elixir of Myrrh, Saffron, and yellow Epatick-Aloes. But whence they have this power, we have shewed in the generation of them. But we come now to the Process, (omitting their beginning, of which we spake before) which runs thus.
“Recipe of Myrrh, Epatick, Alloes, and Saffron, of each one Part, which digest together in a Pellican placed in Sand, for two Months with gentle heat. Then by Alembeck separate the Oil from the Fæces without Adustion. This Oil digest together with an equal Weight of the Circulate for one Month, afterward keep it.
“In this are all the natural Vertues of a Balsam, and a greater conservative Vertue for those that are aged, than is lawfull for a man to utter: because from it proceeds not one Age onely, but 4, 7 or 10, &c.It is scarcely possible to express the Vertues and Natures of it: But as we judge, enough is discovered by us already, which we think needs no further Interpretation.”
Here Paracelsusdescribes his Elixirin words so obscure, and likely to cause Errour, as no man untill this day could ever prepare any thing that was excellent, according to the tenour of his Words: Helmont among others complaining, that he concealed the use of the Alcahest in describing the manner of that Preparation. For whosoever useth that, in such a Preparation, he obtains a Medicine of so great vertue, as it is able to do whatsoever Paracelsusascribes to his ElixirProprietatis.
But if any man be not satisfied in what is here published by me, let him consult Helmontdiscoursing thereof more at large.
Now behold here presented to thee my Process for preparing a Medicine of these three Species reduced to Powder, viz. of Myrrh, Alloes and Saffron. I took of that mixture 8 Lotones, 4 Ounces, which I put into a Phial, and upon the same poured one Pound and half of our good Alcahestick Liquor, these I set into a warm Bath to be digested for two or three Days. During this digestion our sharp Liquor dissolved these Species, and very well united it self to them. This being done, I poured the whole mixture out of the Phial into a low Cucurbit of Glass, and well luted the Head to the Receiver, and by gentle heat of Balneo caused whatsoever would ascend, to be gathered apart in several Recipients.
1. A white penetrating Aromatick Spirit, of a most fragrant Odour according to Helmont’s words.
2. A yellow and red Spirit, and both indeed very efficacious. Yet each of these should be received apart.
3. Lastly toward the end (after all the moisture is ascended, and the Fire is a little somewhat encreased) a strong scented red cleaginous alkalisate Liquor; which is such as serves instead of a Balsam, most excellent, presently helping or very salutary in all green Wounds and fistulous Ulcers. The subtile Spirit should be administred inwardly, for comforting or suppling the Body with all its internal Members, and for preserving the same magistrally from all vitious affects. Such a most present Remedy is earnestly desired, by the aged and weak. The Ingredients are of a Balsamick Disposition, and the preparation of them is artificial and subtil, so as a famous Medicine cannot choose but be made of them. For our Salmiackis of such a Nature, as by it all Vertues of Vegetables, Animals and Minerals are exalted, amplified and meliorated, and that by reason of the Exaltation by it inferred on the Subjects in elaborating; as may more exactly be learned, when any one goes about to prepare the same, and shall as it were with his hand, palpably touch the vertue, and discern the verity thereof. Therefore here is instituted a Process of preparing Saffron, Aloes and Myrrh, by which you may know how to work with other Vegetable and Animal Subjects, so as we have no necessity of prescribing a peculiar Process for every Medicine. Here onely it is to be noted, that an accurate Regard is to be had of weight and measure in mixing the Subjects with the Liquor Alcahest. For if less of the Armoniack Liquor than is fit be added to a dry matter, all the Liquor so includes it self in the dry matter, as little of the Spirit can ascend in distilling. But if more of the Liquor be poured on than is fit, the ascending spirit will not be efficacious enough, because the vertue of that Subject diffuseth it self too largely into that aboundance of Spirit. Wherefore in all things measure and weight are to be observed. Dry Species, such are Herbs, Roots, Seeds and Flowers, drink up much Water; but Woods not so much, Stones and their like, much less than they. Therefore, if any one, in labours of this kind would do something to purpose, he had need to be wary, that he do neither too much, nor too little, but in all things observe a mean: so doing, he shall suffer no loss, nor ever labour in vain. For it is almost impossible to describe all Arcanums so
evidently, as every Clown may comprehend the same without any search.
I have here laid Foundations with reason sufficient, every one may build, or not build upon them as he pleaseth. Also he may read Helmont, who did indeed of this matter write largely enough, yet he is not always to be understood according to the Letter; for in most places of his Books, he concealed his manual Operations, especially in his Book of the Tree of Life, where he treats of the Cedar Wood. The preparation of the same requires no tedious long space of time, but it may be performed in a few hours. Indeed it would be the part of good Physicians to introduce this Preparation of more noble Medicines into their Apothecaries shops, and thence to exclude some part of their corrupted Remedies. For this being done, so many men would not be basely neglected, nor untimely hurried out of this Life, by the use of unprofitable Medicaments, as too often now are.
It is not enough for you to have a Name from Galen, and in the mean while not at all tread the Footsteps of Galen’s vertues. Galen was an honest Heathen, and whatsoever he had gathered with much and long study, he left to us accurately written before his Death.
How experienced a man in Medicine Hippocrateswas, his Writings do clearly shew.
Also that Avicen was an industrious Physician, by his remaining Litterary Monuments, is very manifest, and especially by that Epistle, which he writ to his Son Aboali; for in that he commands him first to furnish himself with sixty Pound of most pure Mercurial Water (whence he should make the universal Medicine) before he presumed to proceed to Coagulation of the Stone.
These indeed were men adorned with high Experience and a good Conscience, who gloried not in the bare Name of Chief Physicians, but proved themselves such indeed, shewing, that they were not idle Adorers of the Goddess Vacua, but men most laborious, as becomes every conscientious Physician to be.
Touching that Mercurial Water, which Avicencommended so much to his Son, for making (of it) the Universal Medicine, we shall here following (Jehovahassisting) somewhat more largely speak, viz.how it, by our Salmiack may be extracted from Metals, and then be coagulated into an Universal Medicine.
Indeed, particular Medicaments are not to be contemned but to be esteemed as good things, to them that make a good use of them. But Universals are sought by Physicians, being such, as by which they can get more Honour and Riches, than by Particulars, because they are known even to every old Woman. Universals are not to be used after the manner of Particulars, particularly to serve for this or that Member of the Body, or to resist and heal this or that Disease onely: but they seek out every Chachexy(which lies privily dispersed through all parts of the Body, impairing Health) and having sought it out, cast it forth of the Body, as well visibly as invisibly through all Emunctories, as shall seem good to Nature, and will be most conducent to health. Universals consume occult Diseases hidden in the Body of man, as Fire consumes Wood. Also Universals tinge every vitious Habit of the Body (which otherwise can be expelled by no particular Medicine) and transmute it into a better State, so as the Evil of the Distemper is inverted and converted into good, in the place where it is hospited, no further expulsion being required. Of like Universals, we will afterwards (God giving leave) speak more at large. Now the time admonisheth us to return to our SalArmoniack, to contemplate what farther fruit of Utility it is able to effect in Medicine.
Helmont, in his Treatise of the Stone makes mention of a certain Medicine, which by his Alcahest he prepared of Paracelsushis Ludus, which would resolve the Stone in the Bladder, and expel it in fourteen Days. Paracelsus ascribes to his Ludus wonderfull Vertues, which it exerciseth in breaking and expelling the Stone of the Reins and Bladder. In which Helmontposits his Foundation, shewing where such a Ludus may be found, and how by his Alcahest it may be prepared into a Medicine so admirable, as it becomes the supream Remedy against the Stone.
As touching the Ludus it self, Helmont saith of it, that it may be copiously found in the Scald shores at Antwerp, and that it for the most part consists of a certain volatile Macrocosmick Urinous Salt: and I making search into the same, have found it just as he described. Likewise, I also, according to his prescribed Rule, endeavoured to make such an excellent Medicine, and then found the Liquor of the Ludusto be such as he affirms he himself made by his Acahest, viz.this way.
I took one Pound of that Ludus beaten to Powder, and mixed it with one Pound of our Secret Salmiack, and thence drew off the volatile Humidity with gentle Fire in a coated Retort; and then augmenting the Fire until the Retort was very hot all over. When all was cold, I found the Luduswith the more fixed part of our Salmiack melted together into a yellowish dark coloured Stone, which (according to his Doctrine) I laid in a moist Cellar to be dissolved, and that Stone in 24 hours was resolved into a greenish Liquor, and it had a burning Taste upon the Tongue, yet it is not loathsome to be taken into the Body, with Wine, Beer, or other suitable Vehicles of Water. I my self also have given this Liquor to some troubled with the Stone, who by taking it were greatly eased. But that the whole Stone should by help of that be resolved and cast out, in so short a space of time, I have not yet found. Hence here it seems to me, that Helmont (as did Paracelsus in the Preparation of his Elixir Proprietatis, and the incredible Vertue thereof) hath extolled his Remedies with a too much elated Style. They are assuredly admirable Medicaments, but that they are able to effect so much (in all men without distinction) as are ascribed to them, I cannot assentingly witness, although I was at great expences, and nor a little turmoiled about them, yet in the mean while I found out many excellent things, the Declaration of all which would be too tedious to be here inserted. But I must needs, in this place, insert some few of those many things I then found out.
If any one apply to the Seeds or Roots of those Herbs, which are commonly wont to be administred, for expelling Urine and the Stone, (the Seeds or Roots being first reduced to Powder) a little of
our Salmiacal Water, and digest it in gentle heat of Balneo for 24 hours, and afterward distil it, a most efficacious Spirit will ascend; which Spirit I have found to be more excellent in expelling the Stone, than the Ludus. In like manner those insects, which strongly provoke Urine and the Stone, I have also digested and distilled with our Liquor of SalArmoniack, and got a Spirit more strongly expelling Urine, than any Spirit prepared of Herbs. Wherefore this is to be warily used, and such forcibly expelling things well observed, among which more forcible than all other are the fat evilly smelling black Worms of May, and Cantharides.
After the same manner, as we have taught to be here done, may also be instituted an Operation for extracting (by distillation) from all Vegetable and Animal Subjects their most potent Vertues and purest Essences, by our Vitriolate Alcalick Water; viz. from Aromaticks, egregious Cordials; from Woods and Roots of Sudorifick Herbs, famous Diaphoreticks; from soporiferous Simples, admirable Anodines; from purging things most excellent Catharticks, &c. But there is no reason I should longer insist on these things of less value, since every skilfull man can prepare himself such medicinal Spirits as he hath need of. Here he cannot easily commit error, since for all Herbs, Seeds, Roots, Flowers, and Woods, there is but one onely way of preparing them into most efficacious Essences, by our vitriolate Alcaly. But a better way than any other, yet to be discovered, how by our Urinous Liquor, yet more efficacious Essences may be extracted from Vegetables and Animals, is this:
We are not ignorant, that Spirit of Wine, which is for the most part generally used for Extraction of Vegetables, doth not sufficiently extract them, nor carry upwards with it self what is extracted; but per se onely ascends, and leaves the Extract in the Bottom of the Vessel. On the contrary, our vitriolate Spirit of Urine (much more sharp than Spirit of Wine) doth not onely powerfully invade Vegetables, and attract to it self their Essences, but also in distillation carries them up with it self, which is impossible for Spirit of Wine to do. For although the Spirit of Urine (according to the external Face) doth as it were mortifie the corrosive Oil of Vitriol,
and change it into a volatile Salt, and the Oil of Vitriol coagulates the subtile Spirit of Urine into a volatile Salt, insomuch as of two unlike Entities is made a middle Salt; yet both those unlike parts are not wholly changed in their former Nature. For the Acidity of Vitriol remains yet acid, and the Urinousness of the Urine urinous; and both also by the help of Art may again be separated each from other, so as either of them may perfectly recover its own pristine qualities, and nothing of them be found to be lost. As for example, suppose
It be required, that I should recover my Spirit of Urine, as pure and subtile as it when poured on the Oil of Vitriol: Then I add to our Salmiack (according to just measure and weight) onely so much Lixiviumas of the Acidity is mortified, and the Spirit of Urine ascends subtilly pure again, and full as good as it was before its conjunction with the Oil of Vitriol. But the Oil of Vitriol is altered, and by the Salt of Tartar reduced into a middle Salt, which also wants not its Fruit of Utility in Medicine and Chymistry. If you would from this mixture recover our Acidity with the Spirit of Urine, add to our Salmiack a Subject easily dissolvable; mix and give a gentle Fire, for then the Acidity sets upon that Subject easie to be dissolved, and dissolves the same, and makes abundance of its concomitant Spirit of Urine to ascend, which in its ascent takes up with it self the purest Essence of the Subject added, loosed by the Acidity in Solution, and thenceforth may be used for Medicine and Chymistry, according as the Subject was. For Example, If I add red Corals beaten to Powder to my Alcahestick Liquor, the Acidity corrodes those Corals without any delay, and lets go the Spirit of Urine, which brings over the helm with it self the Essence of Corals. But the Acidity, when you please may by distillation be separated from the Corals. If to our Liquor be added Pearls, the Spirit carries the vertue of them upward with it self. And if you add Stones, Minerals and Metals, the Spirit of Urine doth likewise carry up with it self the Essences of them. But the Acidity remains in the bottom with the Stone or Metal, and may afterward diversly be again separated from the Stone or Metal, and applied to this or another use.
Having already heard how the most pure Essences of Vegetables and Animals, by our secret Sal Armoniack are to be distilled by ascent, let us now also see, how Metals and Minerals may be highly purged by the same, and reduced to their first matter: which first matter is no other than a most subtil Mercurial Water, in which the purest part of the Metal is latent in the form of running Mercury, which Mercury is fit for preparing whatsoever Work you will of it, either Sol or Luna particularly, or a true Universal Tincture, vastly tinging. Nature, in the Bowels of the Earth did primordially generate all Metals of such a volatile Mercury. For when the Astrums, through the Air, seminate their metallick Seed, that Seed is from the Air introduced into the Earth, where that, as matter clean or unclean offers it self, produceth Metals either pure or impure. Wherefore Philosophers rightly determine the Root of Metals to be sited in the Air, but their stem and branches in the Earth. Daily experience teacheth us to give credit to this, as often as in digging we come to the deepest scituation of Metals, great Experiments of this matter discover themselves to us, but because touching this enough hath been said already, we forbear to proceed further in such a Discourse. Here enough is said, namely, that we know the Original and beginning of all Metals to be no other, than an Airy subtile Spirit, in which are reconded the Sulphur and Mercury of Metals. Therefore, since here purpose is to give so great Information to every most unskilfull man, and as it were to put that in his hands, which may be done by the help of our secret Salmiack, I think not amiss openly to discover certain Examples of Processes, evincing the power of the same. Wherefore I here offer a Possible
LWay of preparing a subtile Mercurial Water (from which a running Mercury, calledby Ancient Philosophers,theMercury of Philosophers, may by the help of Art be ripened into a mostpotent Tincture) out of all Metals by the benefit of our secretSal Armoniack. et the Searcher of Art know, that the Preparation of the Mercury of Metals and Minerals, is of a diverse kind.
But generally, a Mercurial Water may be prepared of all Metals, yet of one more easily, than of another.
Recipe the filings or raspings of a Metal, as Mars, Jupiteror Venus, one Pound, with which mix half a pound of our dry Salmiack. If these be well mixed and by Retort distilled, the metal will be corroded by the Acidity, and the Mercury thereof be freed from its bonds, or separated by Distillation, because the Spirit of Urine carries that up with it self invisibly; but when the Spirit is extracted from it, it becomes visible, as afterward shall be taught.
If you pulverise the Remanency or Residue of the Metal, and boil it with Water, you will have the Vitriol of that Metal you used, viz. of Marsgreen, of Venusblew, of Jupiter, Saturnand Luna, white, of Sol yellow. The cause of such Vitriol is this: since the Acidity of our Salmiackadheres to the Metal, it in some sort dissolves that, and in such wise prepares it, as by the help of common Water, the same may easily be dissolved.
Note: If the Metal (which shall remain in the bottom of the Vessel, after the Vitriol is extracted from the same by the help of Water) be mixed with fresh Salmiack, that will again be conducible, but not yield you so much Mercuryas you got the first time. And if you make the same trial a third time, a little Mercury will ascend, but not so much as did the second time.
Which cropping of golden Branches from the shaded Tree Virgil excellently discovered when he said: One being pulled off, another succeeds, if the Fates call thee, otherwise by no strength, nor any Iron, canst thou pull off that Branch. Of which cropped or pulled off Branches, the first is greatest, and most rich with Gold; the second is less and more poor; the third much less and most poor. Therefore it will be no profit to you to pluck off more than one Branch, but it is better in proceeding further, always to take new matter.
Out of that Vitriol in another certain manner, Mercury may again be extracted, which Mercury will be far more noble than the first, as shall be shewed more at large here following.
In the mean while, to the Lovers of this most noble Art, I cannot choose but demonstrate a wonderfull thing, which is this: Whensoever you shall pour Spirit of Jupiter (prepared in the above commemorated manner, and most subtily rectified) upon the Spirit of Mars, the Mercurys both of the Mars and Jupiter will suddenly embrace each other, and be connexed in such a bond of Love, as leaving the Water, they will conjunctively settle to the bottom in the form of very small golden Atoms; which Atoms of Gold, in that moment in which they are formed of both the Mercurys, you shall see converted into constant and fixed Gold. Which I take to be one of the greatest Wonders, whichever came to my hand in all my Chymical Labours. If I had tried this Experiment but once, I might my self have doubted the truth of the same. Indeed I have found out the cause of this swift fixation of Mercury; but I should do very inconsiderately to divulge the same. Paracelsuswrites in his Heaven of Philosophers, that no melioration of Metals is to be expected, unless they be first spiritually mixed. Other Philosophers likewise say, Metals are first to be reduced to their first matter, that is, into a subtile Spirit, before they can be nobilitated and bettered: which I know to be consentaneous to verity, according to the Testimony of the following Example; which is another wonderfull Experiment, to be performed (by the Spirit of Jupiter) thus.
Dissolve a little Gold in common Aqua Regia, into which Solution pour a little of our mercurial Water, mix it by stirring or shaking the Vessel well: then the Mercury of Jupiter in a magnetick way, continually attracts the Gold to it self from the Aqua Regis, and tingeth the Water with a Blood Red Colour, at length the Gold, with the Mercury of Jupiter conjunctively will be precipitated to the bottom of the Vessel, in the form of a purple Powder: which being edulcorated and reduced with Borax, the greatest part of the Mercury vanisheth, but a little of it will remain with the fixed Gold, and render that snow like and friable. By which we may see in how great Love Gold answers to Tin.
Yet this is not the true way of preparing any thing eminent, and to purpose of both. Therefore, if any one expects a noble product from
both, he must with gentle Fire fix this purple Gold, that the Mercury of Jupitermay not fume away, but remain with the Gold.
In both these recited Experiments to our sight is exposed so swift a Fixation of Mercury, as every man, although but of weak Apprehension, may easily see, that the Transmutation of Metals is truly true, and that the same (by the help of the fixed Mercury of Metals) may be done by projection in a moment. For Mercury fixeth Mercury, being joyned in a just proportion. Therefore if volatile Mercury can do that, how much more will the same, when fixed perform, being that, which bears about it self its own Sulphur.
Although I could as well discover other ways of preparing a good Mercurial Water of a Metal, by our secret Sal Armoniack, yet I consider, such a Liberty of publickly imparting things, would rather be injurious, than profitable; because Pearls would be without distinction, cast before every sordid Swine. But more than enough being already published, Time admonisheth us to desist, especially because there is an intire Treatise of the Mercurys of Metals written and published. Yet I must confess, that this Mercury, prepared by the help of our Salmiack, is of another nature and property than the other prepared in another manner. There is little else now remaining, unless, to shew the way of extracting Mercuryfrom Minerals, by help of our secret SalArmoniack; which Mercuryis able to effect as much in Medicine and Alchymy, as the other extracted out of Metals. Here follows
TheProcess.
Recipe of Antimony pulverised one Pound, of our Salmiack, ½ a Pound, these well mixed, distil by Retort, and our Salmiackwill all come off, and by the Alembick carries with it self the most pure Mercury and Sulphur of the Antimony, of a Black Ash Colour, which Sublimate is named the Head of the Crow. For if you cast a little of it into pure Water, the Salmiackwill melt, and the Mercuryand Sulphur will remain in the Vessel like a gray Powder, which if you dry, and then touch it, you will find it like to thin light Feathers, whence it
acquires to it self the Name of the Crows Head. Therefore, when you shall make it hot in a Crucible, it melts into a red Stone, which indeed is nothing conducent to our purpose. Yet if you would thence make somewhat that is excellent, you must observe such a Process as this, here following. Put your gray sublimate or Crows Head, which did ascend (being first reduced to Powder) into a Glass Body, and upon it pour so much of my Tartar, as shall be needfull for mortifying the Oil of Vitriol, then lute an Head thereon, fitting a Receiver thereto, and subminister Fire in Sand, untill all the Humidity shall ascend. This being done the Acidity remains with the Salt of Tartar, and the Spirit of Urine ascends alone, carrying upwards with it self the most pure invisible Mercury of Antimony, which afterward by the help of Solor Luna(as above we taught of Mercury) becomes fixed and visible. But a very small quantity of Mercury ascends, which doth much displease the unsatiable Slaves of Avarice; because they rather take delight in immense Masses of Gold, equal in magnitude to the Head of an Ox. Yet no good man desires that, but is content with that little, which God is pleased to give him. Nevertheless, if any one would have a great quantity of that, he may obtain the same. For the Subjects, whence it is extracted are preparable for no great charge, being such, as enough of them may always be had. From one Pound of this mercurial Water, scarcely three or four Grains of corporal Mercurywill ascend. For the greatest part of it remains in the bottom with the Sulphur and Salt, which are fixed apart, as hereafter shall be taught. But in that so little Mercury lies hid in the mercurial Water, other Philosophers also knew, unanimously teaching, that Avicenis to be followed, admonishing (in a certain Epistle to his Son Aboali) all that he had need of 60 Pound of most pure mercurial Water. For if the whole Water were Mercury, there would not need have been so much. Philosophers call this not Aqua Vitis, but Aqua Vitæ; because the Mercury in it is most spaciously dissipated, as afterward (God willing) shall be discoursed more at large.
Now returning to our Crows-head, let us see whether it may be made white, by a lotion of a sharp Lixivium. If you take the Glass out of the Sand, after you have once abstracted thence the Mercurial Water, you will find your black Crow turned into a white Swan: for in the Glass you will find a Snow-like Salt, which if you take out, and put into another round Glass, or Philosophick Egg, and set that into a Fixatory Furnace to be fixed, the white Colour in twenty fours hours waxeth yellow, and a little after puts on a Blood-like Colour. Yet it is not then so well fixed, as that it may be taken out, but must be suffered to stand for some time in burning Coals; yet with this Caution always, that the Fire be no stronger, than by which the Red Stone may be liquified, and remain liquid in, like Oil. For it will melt as easily as Wax, and neither the Mercury, nor the Sulphur, nor the Saltevaporate; which is that which affects the mind with admiration. I have made trial of this in a Glass with a long neck standing out of the heat, where I could see not so much as one Grain to ascend; whence I conclude the same Operation may be done, and such Fixation made in an open Fire in a covered Crucible made of good and fit Earth well burnt. For the Salt of Tartar united with the Acidity of Vitriol, doth so embrace the whole Mercuryand Sulphur, and as it were hold it concluded in it self, that the same is compelled to abide in the Fire, and permit it self to be ripened. Thus this volatile Salt to our Mercury is the Luting of Sapience, and Seal of Hermes, with which it is so bound, as it is constrained to abide in Fire untill ’tis fixed. After it shall be fixed, it may be used with admirable profit in Medicine and Chymistry. But you must rightly make trial, whether it be well fixed or no, thus: Put an Iron Wyar into the liquified Mass, and with that take up a small quantity for proof. Wash away the Salt from it, and cast the Red Powder upon a Silver Plate heat red hot: if it fume not, but enters and tingeth the Silver, not with a black, but with a yellow Colour, then the Mercury, with its Sulphur, is fixed. Whosoever hath but once fixed this Stone, hath done a very great and profitable Work, although he hath spent many Weeks in preparing the same. For so soon as the Mercurial Sulphur of Antimony shall be fixed, some of it may presently be applied to necessary use, and instead of that as much volatile and immature
Mercuryadded; then the fixed Mercurywillingly admits into it self its Brother not fixed, that together with it self it may also become fixed. Therefore as many Months as the first Fixation required for its perfection, in so many Weeks may the second be absolved. Also the second Fixation being compleated, another part of the Medicine may again be taken out, and other not fixed Mercuryagain be put in, and so forwards to infinity, or as long as the Artist shall think fit.
Although this fixed Tincture of Antimonybe an Universal Medicine, healing all curable Diseases; yet for Metals it is onely a particular Tincture, by help of which you may indeed convert Silver, by graduating, and at times, into Gold; but yet at one time you cannot tinge the whole Body. For God hath not endowed it with so great power, yet he hath liberally bestowed that on it which is worth while; insomuch as we owe as great praises to God most high for the same, as they are obliged to render to him, who are partakers of the great Stone of Philosophers.
As we have hitherto taught the way of Preparing a particular Tincture for Metals, and an Universal Medicine for humane Bodies of despicable Antimony; so also may a Tincture be made of Auripigment, immature Mineral Electrum, Cinnabarine Sulphur, and all other such like, by the help of our Secret Sal-Armoniack. Wherefore, by this one onely Process is sufficiently explained, how from other like Subjects (where Sulphurand Mercuryare conjoyned) such a Medicine may also be prepared.
Whosoever well understands this way of fixing Mercuries prescribed by me, will find more Secrets than he can ever think of, imagine or feign to himself. For since such a Fixation may be performed in open Earthen Vessels, you have not onely this conveniency, that as often as you please you may take out some of it, and make trial untill you come to a perfect Fixation; but also you have this prerogative, that your Mercury, with its Sulphur, is fixed with a flaming Fire, which always immediately toucheth our Sulphur and Mercury, and exalts the same in its own congenited Tincture, which is what a close Fire cannot do. Every Fire, by its own nature
and property, infers a Tincture in Mineral Subjects, especially when the Flame can immediately touch the Subject neither closed nor open, as above you heard, where we treat of Rubefying the fixed white Sulphur. We discern the same in Crucibles made of white Earth, and set one within another, that the outmost, which is exposed to the touch of the Flame becomes Red; but those which stood with in it (being free from the contact of the same) remain white.
Also we are not ignorant, that those who make Tobacco-Pipes, (that they may have them purely white) do burn them in a large Pot, that they may not be touched by the Flame, and so be tinged with Redness. Whence it is sufficiently understood, that even in Fire is a Tincture, by which white Bodies are tinged with Redness. Hence I, not without reason, say: He is not ill advised who ripens his Tinctures under a certain Covering in open Vessels, because they that way are not onely sooner fixed, but also exalted in their Colour; yet with this Rule always observed, viz.That the Tinctures be always sealed with HermesSeal, or Philosophically surrounded or luted with the Luting of Sapience. Where note, that the Luting of Sapience, of which I here treat, is not to be used for fixing all Subjects, and preserving them from flight, but it is an emolument and help to those Subjects onely, which are as well Sulphureous as Mercurial, and delight in the Communion of constringing themselves by these Salts, and without departure constantly remain with them in Fire, and preserve them also from flying away. That by such a way, viz.by the benefit of Hermes Seal, Mineral Sulphurs may be fixed into Tinctures, ancient Philosophers closely concealed as a principal Arcanum, and scarcely any of them hath ever made mention of an Artificial Fire, except that very ancient Philosopher Artephius, who most excellently speaks much after this manner: Our Fire dissolves all things, penetrates all things, destroys all things, participates of Sulphur , isequal,continual;yieldsnosmoak,unlessitbeexcited,for Matteritistakenfromelsewhere, &c. Now accurately mind, whether here is not notified such a Fire [as I speak of]. Pontanus in his Epistle saith, he travelled almost all the World over, that he might
find some true Philosopher, of whom by Converse he might be taught somewhat of the Secret of Secrets: and that he met with some Philosophers, but they were onely erroneous Vagabonds and great Impostors; also that at length (after he had erred an hundred times, although he wrought in and with a true Matter) he perused Artephius, and out of that Book learned the SecretFire; which if he had not done, he had remained perpetually ignorant.
From all which it is sufficiently clear, how much it concerns an Artist to have knowledge of the Secret Fire, Luting of Sapience, or HermesSeal. Our Fire is indeed insignized with three Names, yet it is no other than one Being, viz. Oil of Vitriol, by the fixedSulphur of Tartar,coagulatedintotheformofaStone.
But why I here so clearly describe an Arcanum of so great Magnificence, and also publish the same, I have several weighty Reasons. Yet, in the mean while, I am not at all solicitous or carefull thereabout, for fear it should become too common, because of an hundred Readers that read and peruse the same, scarce one of them hating labour will give credit to the Prescripts thereof; and some others (who loving labour would credit what is here written) yet perhaps will want the acuteness of a Philosophick Ingeny, by the dexterity of which to institute and absolve such a fixation. Wherefore I rejoycing in that, do confidently and securely acquiesce, that the Art will not so easily be rendred familiar to every Son of the Earth promiscuously without distinction; but Art will still be and remain Art. Some years ago I did demonstrate to the sight of some of my intimate Friends the way pf Preparing the Mercury of Antimony, and commended to them the Fixation of the same by our SecretFire; but they unto this very day have never set their hand to the Work to elaborate it; and that perhaps because it seemed to them to be too vile a thing, and not such as was likely of that it could be prepared, a Medicine of so great Excellency.
Here in this Treatise I have taught the way of Preparing, by the help of Oil of Vitriol, a particular and famous Salmiack, by the benefit
of which, from Metals and Minerals may be prepared, not onely an Universal Medicine healing all the Diseases of Mortals, but also a particular Tincture for meliorating imperfect Metals. I have indeed spoken many things, but not all as yet; because I there had no other intention, but onely to discover our Secret Salmiack. If I would proceed farther, I could certainly say, that in the most despicable Urine of Men a most pretious Treasure lyes hid, although the greatest part of the Possessors of it know nothing of the same; because God, by reason of their Sins, will not impart this Secret to them. In the Urine of every Man is latent a certain living Metallick Mercury, which may thence most easily be extracted by the help of a certain pure Metallick Body, or by the Assistance of Art be prepared into a Tincture, or Universal Medicine; according as we above taught, where we treated of Mercury.
Wherefore writing, I write and will write, that no Man in very deed can call himself poor, because God hath conferred on every Man from his first Nativity so great a Gift, as being brought forth into the Light of this World, he may have sufficient wherewith to live, provided he understands, and is able to perform what are to be performed. Philosophers affirm, that Adam and Eve brought their Stonewith them out of Paradise. But to us it is sufficiently manifest, that they were cast out naked, without all help and comfort. Therefore you infer they bore such a Treasure in their Bodies, as is seen by that of Morienus, who being asked by King Calid, In what Subject that famous Stone of Philosophers lay hid? Answered; In thee, OKing, it is hidden. And farther, so soon as he had prepared the Medicine, he writ about the Vessel in which it was; He that carriesallthingswithhim,needsnotthehelpofanother: Signifying, that he needed not the help of any King, because he had all things in himself. Having done this, he returned to his Hermitage, and there blessedly passed the residue of his Life in the study of Temperance, Prayer and Fasting, always glorifying the Name of God. For if Morienus had not known that he had about him an inestimable Treasure, without doubt he would not have left the King so secretly, but perhaps have waited in hope of some Magnificent
Entertainment: yet he thirsted not after this, but going away acquiesced in that onely, which contained in himself, God had long before conferred on him when he entred this World. It is sufficient for me that I have not buried my five Talents (lent me by God) in the Earth, but have restored them to my Lord, and have also so improved the same, as I have gained other five Talents.
Before I conclude, I am willing to say this: I have indeed received of God other five Talents also, but as yet have not gained five other Talents by the Usury of them; and that not because I fear the severity of my Masters Law against his idle Servants; but I fearing Evil from Men, durst not make any Improvement thereof, because I suspect that thence a great and incurable abuse would be spread far and nigh among the great number of wicked Men. Nevertheless, I now purpose to proceed in them, and that for certain Causes; and (with the assistance of God) as soon as I can to publish the Magnalia of the Almighty. Accordingly I hope this will prove a great comfort and present help to the whole Christian Common-wealth against the Turk, the hereditary Enemy of the Christian Name, [vid. Prosper. Germ.p. 5.] But the summe of things to be communicated, chiefly consists in that, which certain artificial Inventions discover to me, by help of which many wonderfull things may be performed; and (if God so please) all the Nests of those Tyrannical Hagarens be laid waste, and so the Christian People be fully and plainly freed from their intollerable servitude. For if it shall be pleasing and gratefull to the most wise God, that such noble Inventions, hitherto unknown, may be divulged and put in practice; he alone hath power of procuring occasions and means for making them publick: but if it displease his glorious Wisedom, in his Name the Art shall be buried with me, or rather be returned to Him, as to the Fountain of Fountains, from whence it flowed to me.
In the mean while, I could not chuse but leave to Posterity, for a Remembrance of my Benevolence, something worth the minding, touching such unheard-of, heroick, efficacious Inventions. But these
are written as in a Parenthesis, and by the way. Proceeding, let us discourse a little farther of despicable Urine.
All Men and Beasts live of the Dungs of Animals; also no Corn, Wine, Apples, &c.would be produced, if not dunged with the Dungs of Animals. But some one may object and say, Wild Herbs, Trees, Shrubs and Reeds are not dunged with the Dungs of Animals, as Vineyards and Corn-fields. I answer. Those Plants enjoy and have another Dunging, viz.Celestial or Rain water, by the benefit of which in Autumn and Winter, Branches and Leaves falling off from the Trees, do putrefie, and become Dung; which kind of Dunging, in the Spring time betakes it self to the Roots of Trees, that a penetrative Dunging and procuration of increase may there be made, since the Leaves are to be esteemed the Excrements of Trees, with which they are refreshed and renewed. Why then may not the Excrements of Man serve for the Renovation of Man also?
No Man can deny, but that the Dungs of many Animals have been used in the Galenical Shops of Apothecaries, for the Composition of various Remedies, and are used at this very day. That in Urine is incited a singular comforting Virtue, they best of all can witness, who Shipwrackt in the Sea, have lived for certain days without Meat or Drink, and in the mean while have sustained their life with the use of Urine onely.
Also, that Urine is an egregious Preservative against the Pestilence, the Masters of Hospitals can witness this by all Men labouring with the Pest.
Now if gross Urine, with which so much impurity is mixt, be of so great efficacy, what may not its Spirit purified, and its volatile Salt effect, especially, if before Distillation, the famous Essences of Vegetables be artificially added, because such Virtues of Herbs, Flowers and Seeds, Woods, &c. by the help of the volatile Salt of Urine, are excited through their whole Body, to exercise there their Virtues efficaciously.
Whosoever knows how rightly to prepare, and duely to use Spirit of Urine, may easily thence get ample Riches, and reap no less profit in Medicine than in the Transmutation of Metals. Wherefore I here openly confess, that in this little Treatise I have posited certain Processes, which (as to their external face) seem to be of small moment, yet to Men skilled in the Theory and Practice of them, they will find so gainfull a Work, as no Handicrafts man whatsoever can gain so much by his Craft. So much gain may be hoped for from Urine onely, if rightly and knowingly handled according to the Spagyrick Art. Because every one Man may gain not one, but several Imperials by that Art: the Processes of which are diverse, and that by the onely help of despicable Urine. Hence are those frequent complaints of Ancient Philosophers, that their Matter of the Stone is cast away by Fools among Dung trod under foot and contemned, which notwithstanding ought to be honoured by every Man. I say, by Every Man, because from it the Philosopher extracts his Universal Medicine, and the Physician his particular Remedies. For the Chymist transmutes vile Metals into better, and so consequently every Mechanick Operator may expect some Fruit from the same. Wherefore Urine is not to be despised, but to be taken into use; insomuch, as every drop of it that is spilt should be bewailed. Yet I protest I would not discover this, but for the sake of those that have Ears to hear; because other Men naturally deaf to such things, can reap no profit by this my Doctrine, because Hippocrates forbids to give Medicine to those that are past hope.
Whatsoever are here related touching Urine, may be said of the black shining Soot of Chimnies, of the Hairs and Horns of Animals, of Egg-shells, and the like, and especially of the Fæces of Wine, which are cast away after the Spirit is extracted.
But perhaps some Man may here say, Our Secret Sal-Armoniackis too costly to be used for the prescribed Operation. To him I answer. No Man can gain something for nothing. But whosoever is desirous to reap some Eminent Benefit, he must first sow some pretious thing.
Indeed I confess, one pound of our Salmiack (if a Man onely follow the literal Sense, or bare letter of the Description) will cost several Imperials, because for one pound of Oil of Vitriol prepared, four or six pound of Spirit of Urine are required for coagulating the Oil with the same, which notwithstanding, in respect of those famous things which are acquired by the benefit of it, it is not to be judged costly. If a Man cannot prepare his Spirit of Urine, and Oil of Vitriol himself, but must buy them of another, he then indeed may complain of Dearness. But to one perfectly well skilled, the SalArmoniack will cost him little more than his manual Labour, insomuch as no Man hath any just cause to complain of charges.
If the divine Grace shall be pleased to prorogue my Life a little longer, I purpose to publish greater Arcanums. Therefore let God do as he pleaseth, his Will is always best, and better than the best Wills of all Men. Amen.
